Philippe Befferal

Philippe is an international executive search leader with more than 25 years of senior management experience in the pharmaceutical, MedTech, and industrial sectors across Europe and the United States. Having built and led multicultural teams as a CFO, VP Finance, and President/General Manager in complex global organizations, he brings a deep, first-hand understanding of what makes leadership successful—strategically, operationally, and culturally.

His recruiting philosophy is rooted in business impact: aligning talent acquisition with organizational needs, growth objectives, and long-term strategy. Philippe specializes in identifying leaders who can thrive in demanding environments—manufacturing, operations, engineering, finance, supply chain, quality, and general management—where technical expertise, cultural adaptability, and transformation capabilities are essential.

He has evaluated hundreds of executives and senior managers throughout his career and is recognized for his sharp assessment skills, structured interview approach, and ability to translate business challenges into clear talent requirements. His dual experience in both large public companies and agile privately owned groups allows him to quickly understand a client’s reality and pinpoint the leadership profiles best suited to drive results.

At Penon Partners, Philippe leads the creation and development of the Executive Search & Recruiting Practice, bringing a rigorous, hands-on, and relationship-driven approach to talent acquisition. He partners closely with clients to define the right profile, build the sourcing strategy, evaluate candidates, and ensure a smooth and professional recruitment process from start to finish.

Fluent in French, English, and Italian, Philippe frequently works with multinational teams and cross-border recruitment needs. He is an active member of the transatlantic business community and currently serves on the Board of the French-American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) in Atlanta.